Go on - ask a nurse!
Discussion
When I started nursing in the 80s there was very little support available officially, however going off for a smoke with a few colleagues, talking things over etc was very common. Now there are referrals to occupational health, counselling etc, but the waiting times for these can be daunting.
I'm of the opinion that taking ten minutes or so to speak with all staff involved as soon as possible after an event is time well spent. There was a time when the stiff upper lip was mandatory and any show of emotion was seen as weakness. I've shed a few tears when asking relatives about organ donation, or helping a parent to lay out their child.
SD.
I'm of the opinion that taking ten minutes or so to speak with all staff involved as soon as possible after an event is time well spent. There was a time when the stiff upper lip was mandatory and any show of emotion was seen as weakness. I've shed a few tears when asking relatives about organ donation, or helping a parent to lay out their child.
SD.
Do you subscribe to the theory 'Don't fall seriously ill on a weekend'?
My dad told me about this years ago. The statistics were out there, people admitted on a Friday were more at risk to die than if admitted on a Monday.
Then 4 years ago he was admitted on Easter Friday, he died Easter Monday. 2 Nurses looking after a ward of 40 patients.
My dad told me about this years ago. The statistics were out there, people admitted on a Friday were more at risk to die than if admitted on a Monday.
Then 4 years ago he was admitted on Easter Friday, he died Easter Monday. 2 Nurses looking after a ward of 40 patients.
Funniest thing ever "fallen onto" would have been the plastic crochet needle that "fell into my penis and now I can't get it out"
That required surgery under general anaesthetic. The patient asked for it back as "my mum will kill me, she's still making baby clothes with it."
Re-ruptured achilles are (IME) fairly rare, but we do get one or two regulars who keep managing to keep returning with it.
Weekend mortality is a bit of a lottery. Sorry to hear of your loss. Yes there are less staff around, and certainly less senior staff but there is also less routine work so genuinely sick people can (sometimes) be seen quicker than during the week when there more staff are tied up in theatre or in clinics.
SD.
That required surgery under general anaesthetic. The patient asked for it back as "my mum will kill me, she's still making baby clothes with it."
Re-ruptured achilles are (IME) fairly rare, but we do get one or two regulars who keep managing to keep returning with it.
Weekend mortality is a bit of a lottery. Sorry to hear of your loss. Yes there are less staff around, and certainly less senior staff but there is also less routine work so genuinely sick people can (sometimes) be seen quicker than during the week when there more staff are tied up in theatre or in clinics.
SD.
shed driver said:
Funniest thing ever "fallen onto" would have been the plastic crochet needle that "fell into my penis and now I can't get it out"
SD.
Thanks! And eeeeuuuuuuuwww. Even the thought of a catheter makes me wince - just how? And why?SD.
Sort of reminds me of being at law school (stick with me on this...) - you could always tell if someone in the library was reading R V Brown and Others, as you could see them wincing/eyes going wide at some of the things the defendants got up to
Sheepshanks said:
Do you think about the pension scheme much?
With only a few years left until I am eligible for my pension it does cross my mind quite a bit. Having had a severe work related back injury 12 months ago leaving me with constant, chronic pain it tends to be something to look forward to!SD.
First off, thank you for the work you do. I've seen what nurses have to put up with and the care they give. I remember when my Dad had a sudden stroke while he was in hospital one of the nurses who was off duty came in to say hello to him but was visibly upset by his condition (it was a matter of time before he died type of thing). Even asking another nurse whether my Dad was near the end, even she was emotional about it and told me that I should think about doing it. The care he got throughout the time I've been alive and he had been ill with various things, and even when he was cantankerous with some nurses, you all had and still have my utmost respect. So thank you (and any other nurse reading this!).
My question: do you feel that wards now are better managed and handled than they were even 20 years ago when matron was still around?
My question: do you feel that wards now are better managed and handled than they were even 20 years ago when matron was still around?
Do you think making nursing a degree qualification has caused issues?
My wife is currently in her second year of training and she commented that several of her friends dropped out of the course as although they loved nursing, they struggled with academic writing and were scraping a pass. On the other hand some of her more academic friends struggle with ‘real nursing’ on placement but do well with the written side so look great nurses on paper.
My wife is currently in her second year of training and she commented that several of her friends dropped out of the course as although they loved nursing, they struggled with academic writing and were scraping a pass. On the other hand some of her more academic friends struggle with ‘real nursing’ on placement but do well with the written side so look great nurses on paper.
Why do nurses get so upset when I use a slide whistle everytime they bend over?
Why dont they bend over when I drop something??
I may be making things up here...
Seriously, does it annoy you how political the nhs is, and hos politicised many staff seem to be (to me anyhow)
Why do adv3rts only ever show nurses taking the bus home? Dont you drive?
And please, keep going!! It is appreciated when we need you most, even if we wont say that when we dont!!
Why dont they bend over when I drop something??
I may be making things up here...
Seriously, does it annoy you how political the nhs is, and hos politicised many staff seem to be (to me anyhow)
Why do adv3rts only ever show nurses taking the bus home? Dont you drive?
And please, keep going!! It is appreciated when we need you most, even if we wont say that when we dont!!
Steve Campbell said:
Are all of the senior (read old) consultants absolute d***s who look down their noses at the general population (& student/new doctors) or are most of them human these days ?
There are very few Sir Lancelot Spratts about, maybe because of my advanced years and the fact that I remember most of the consultants as juniors I tend to have a great relationship with them. I have seen some pretty epic tantrums in the good old days.
SD.
williamp said:
Seriously, does it annoy you how political the nhs is, and hos politicised many staff seem to be (to me anyhow)
Why do adv3rts only ever show nurses taking the bus home? Dont you drive?
And please, keep going!! It is appreciated when we need you most, even if we wont say that when we dont!!
From my wife’s experience so far, most nurses don’t complain and whinge. I guess you only see the loud shouty types on tv. It was something she was a bit concerned about when becoming a nurse.Why do adv3rts only ever show nurses taking the bus home? Dont you drive?
And please, keep going!! It is appreciated when we need you most, even if we wont say that when we dont!!
As for the bus, there’s bugger all parking unless you start on an early shift.
There still are matrons, but not in the Daily Wail style, I don't think the management is any better just that it's a case of too many cooks. Lots of targets and some of these will compete against each other.
4 hour A&E target against a safe discharge of an elderly patient who needs multiple agencies to all be in place before discharge. Get it wrong and the patient will come bouncing back as a failed discharge or deteriorate at home.
Bed occupancy rates at above 98% for weeks, as they have been at my trust makes this an occurrence happening several times a day across the hospital.
SD.
4 hour A&E target against a safe discharge of an elderly patient who needs multiple agencies to all be in place before discharge. Get it wrong and the patient will come bouncing back as a failed discharge or deteriorate at home.
Bed occupancy rates at above 98% for weeks, as they have been at my trust makes this an occurrence happening several times a day across the hospital.
SD.
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